Crews are taking measures to reduce the risk of wildfires to the community of Summerland through the municipality's Critical Infrastructure Protection Program.
The crews, from the Summerland Fire Department, are working in rural areas where they are cutting down tall grasses, brushing out overgrowth and applying protective treatments to utility poles.
In high-risk areas, crews are also applying fire retardant to some utility poles.
The municipality says the fire retardant is non-toxic and environmentally safe, and is the same product used in wildfire prevention in other areas.
Summerland has been working on other efforts to reduce the risks of wildfires.
Earlier this year, the municipality applied for a $600,000 grant through the Union of B.C. Municipalities Community Resiliency Investment Program.
The municipality also committed to provide overall grant management for the 2025 FireSmart Community Funding and Support.
In the past, wildfires have come close to the community. In early August, a fire, believed to have been started by lightning, was discovered near Summerland. Another fire, also believed to have been started by fire, was discovered near the Summerland Rodeo Grounds.
In 2024, a wildfire in the Garnet Valley area came close to a house.
In 1996, a fire in Giant’s Head Mountain Park came within metres of homes and property lines nearby.
The Summerland Fire Department has taken measures to reduce the risk of wildfires. At times, the access road to Giant’s Head Mountain Park has been closed to vehicle traffic as a way to reduce the risk of wildfires in the area.
